IMIM: New trends in cannabis and cocaine in Spain show signs of stabilization

The article was published in the journal Addiction.

Researchers at the IMIM have studied the evolution of the incidence of cannabis and cocaine in Spain during the last 38 years. They have found that, although 2008 saw the highest rate of first-time drug users since the 70s, in recent years it seems that the trend has been stabilized, particularly in cocaine use

"This is the first analysis of the data on the rates of new consumers of cannabis and cocaine in Spain. The data have been pondered taking into account population changes, providing a much more accurate and useful view of what is happening to the population", said Antonia Domingo, coordinator of the research group on epidemiology of drug abuse at the IMIM and head of the study. "The results show that the incidence of cannabis use in people younger than 15 increased from the 90s and up to 2004 was still considerably high. These results highlight the need to increase efforts in preventing cannabis use in the population long before the age of 15 "added Antonia Domingo.